Your love oh Lord, reaches to the heavens, your grace is like the ocean's tide, and your righteousness is like a mighty mountain, your faithfulness reaches to the sky. I will lift my voice and worship you my God. I will lift my voice and worship you my king. Bless me this day with your presence. aw

All things work together for good

The Lord has had me under heavy conviction as of late nudging me ever closer to Himself. Over the last several months I have been asking God to reignite His spirit within me, the flame that He warns us to not quench. I knew that somewhere deep within me I was holding back part of myself from Him and not trusting Him completely. Sometimes questioning if the fire within me had all but gone out, haunted by scriptures like; the ones comparing cold Christians to salt that had lost it's saltiness being useless and thrown out to be trampled by men, or the scripture that speaks of those in the end times who will have a form of religion but deny His power, that faith without works is dead, that pure religion is to care for widows and orphans in need, and the list goes on.

Part of me thought that He would answer quickly, but He has not. Part of which is probably due to my inconsistency in spending time with Him. I want to be closer, but the things of this world, it's distractions, busyness, and my physical exhaustion pull and tear me from His ams. BALANCE is so difficult when we don't allow God to hold the scales.

Most times in relationships love comes softly, through time and experiences shared. I am working on it. Everyday coming a little closer to the fire, allowing myself to trust in it's warmth and light, and less fearful of being burned. God has been revealing more of Himself to me, slowly coaxing me to trust Him. Not Pushing. Just Loving. Today I went for a walk with God and during our visit I noticed the birds singing, the beautiful sky, and ask Him to change me into who He wants me to be. That is when the words, "Psalm 32:9"quietly passed through my thoughts. At first I dismissed it, and continued talking To him (and not listening to him). Then again, "Psalm 32:9". This time I heard. I understood. My pace quickening I made my trek home. I couldn't wait to read what it said... "Do not be like the mule or the horse, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you." Wow.

So, wanting to understand the context I read Psalm 32:8-11

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" ok.

I'M SINGING LORD! I AM SINGING.

Diet Coke and Chocolate

I am confessing my sins this morning. I have major issues. This morning I got the kids off to school and then went back to bed. (strike 1) Then when I did get up I sat on my bum and watched an hour of TV. (strike 2) Then I rallied myself and went up to the $ store and got some diet coke and chocolate so I could face the day. (strike 3) WOW. I haven't exercised or eaten right in a long time. I am outta control. I even told the cashier as I was sucking down my diet coke (because I couldn't wait till I got into the parking lot to open it), "Yea, my diet coke and chocolate are like some people's beer and cigarette's." To which we both laughed. The cashier responded,"Well, we all have something."
It's true. We all do, don't we. For some it is coffee, or alcohol, cocaine, food, whatever. Why is it so difficult? Why do our physical selves war against our souls? How do people overcome such addictions? Are these addictions that seem harmless (coffee, diet coke, chocolate, food) really harmless. I am afraid we are all hopelessly flawed. And the only hope we have is the blood of Christ. I just pray that his grace is sufficient for me. I know that I am in no way good enough but praise God His sacrifice is!!!!!!!

I wanna live...

not just exist. Have you ever gone through seasons that feel like you were merely existing and not embracing life. Boy I have. It seems to me that when I am especially stressed or there has been some big change in my life that I have a tendency to shut down and turn into this robot like droid without joy or zest. I go from enjoying every moment to just getting through another day. How sickenly (is that a word?)sad. I realize that the only way to truly live is in Christ JESUS ALONE. All joy, peace, and hope are found in his rest. Even in the busiest of seasons if we go to Him to receive our "daily bread" then He gives us strength for today and great hope for tomorrow. Because He is faithful. I love Him. I love how He paints beautiful sunrises that cause my joy to overflow into moments of unspeakable praise. I love how He holds me in His righteous right hand and protects me from harm. I love His discipline, His patience, His grace. May we HOLD TIGHT TO OUR MERCIFUL SAVIOR DAILY AS IF OUR VERY LIVES DEPEND ON IT...because guess what they do. and hold onto Him tight....it's gonna be a wild ride:)

A few pics of upstair hallway and dining room

Our house was a "tourist house" for a while so I decided to give a wink and a nod to it's history and try to make the upstairs hall look like a public bed and breakfast area. Just for fun.

Long Cold Winter

Well, we are preparing for the big winter storm we are supposed to be getting. How? Well, the kids are fantasizing about sledding and hot cocoa and I about just having some "time" Hoping for a break from the everyday chaos. Tonight I soaked in the tub (which I haven't done in months and tried to decompress). We seem to be in a stage of reflection and also anticipation here at the Woollard House. Most of you know that we are now going to Georgetown Church of Christ. I truly believe it has been the right move for us. Yet I miss Bethlehem. Top 10 things I miss... 1. My Peeps. knowing that when you walk in the door that you are among CLOSE friends (and I miss my close friends) 2. Being involved in all the different ministries I was in. 3. Floyd haha :) 4. Tom's sermons. (not that there is anything wrong with Kevin's just a different style) 5. Knowing what my place is 6. VBS (I know I will) 7. "Homer"isms 8. Favorite activities like...Church picnic, caroling, Live nativity and tailgate parties 9. worship team 10. AGAIN...my peeps. Yet with all that being said I do believe it was TIME It has forced us out of our comfort zone and out of our complacency and allowed us to see somethings that we need to work on and also reaffirmed to us the importance of being part of the body. Sad but true. The top 10 things that I look forward to or appreciate at Georgetown...1. the skits during "Family worship (sunday school) absolutely amazing. 2. lifting my hands, standing and worshiping freely during music without fear that I may be distracting someone 3. Finding new friends 4. Becoming involved 5. watching my children form new friendships 6. worshiping with my extended family 7. The Well 8. The friendliness and love of the members. (This one has been especially comforting to me as I have left behind soo many people that I love and am eager to form new friendships. It is a new experience for me to be the "outsider" so to speak. It has made me much more aware of how important it is for us to be loving and kind to new people in our churches. Brian and I both feel that we could have done better at making new people feel at home when we went to Bethlehem and we regret that. It is amazing how when you have never been through a particular experience that it is difficult to see how much another may need that kind word or hug. So thank you GCC for being so kind. 9. The childlike faith of so many of the adults at GCC. Lots of laughs thanks to your commitment to God and the kids at GCC. again those skits are crazy funny. and 10. learning what God is trying to show me and growing in my commitment to Him. We love you all and Praise God for our Church Families whether old or new...WE ARE ONE and WE ARE SO BLESSED. Thank you for warming our souls with your friendship through this LONG COLD WINTER.

Another hard day

Today we decided after praying and asking for direction that we should tell our neighbor that we can not purchase the building that we want so badly. All OT has been cut and that leaves our budget almost undo able. But thanks be to God because he is making a way before us and fighting our battles for us. All we have to do is be obedient and follow him. So why is that so very difficult at times?
Tonight one of my children got upset and had a bad attitude after I would not buy a particular food item for them. Because it was name brand it cost 3.oo and they had a similar item for 1.00 (that of course was basically the same thing only not COOL). I was furious with my child and hurt because I had made a special point to stop and get them some things for their lunches and had not planned on doing that. So when I received this attitude that what I was trying to do for them wasn't good enough I got really upset.
But I couldn't help but think that just this morning I had done the same thing with God. I have been wanting to purchase that building so badly and got upset when I had to let it go. I cried. I really did. Because I wanted that building so much. There are times I think that God must get so angry with us just as I got angry with my child. We act like spoiled brats stamping our foot at God and saying BUT I WANT IT!!! How difficult it can be to overcome our own selfcenteredness at times. And I praise my God that He sent Jesus to me.
"Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world. " aw